Domestic Discipline Lifestyle Research: How to Start Reaching Out & Communicating Online

After a person has been researching Domestic Discipline and learning about a DD relationship and roles of a HoH & TiH, it might feel like the time to go beyond researching through reading and begin to seek communication with people who are experienced about the DD lifestyle to gain further knowledge. There are people who are respectful and can be very helpful in your continued knowledge of the Domestic Discipline paradigm as a relationship choice. Sadly, there are also those who merely claim to be knowledgeable who will accidentally or purposely mislead you for their own ulterior motives.
Continuing with the DD Research Series...

Sometimes when people are new they seek out someone to ask questions or with whom to communicate. Again, the safest way to learn is by patiently reading and gaining knowledge with an open DD mind. In the last article here on A Domestic Discipline Society, we discussed an easy and useful resource called the What is DD to Me resource. For continuity, if you have not read that article yet, it's suggested that you read that one first before continuing with this article.

 How to Start Domestic Discipline Research: What is DD to Me & Eliminating Confusion

If you feel like you have been researching and reading and would like to step beyond reading and contact someone with a question, comment on a blog, or possibly find a chat room to have a friendly conversation, do so safely. There are some simple ways to help keep your privacy safe.

1) Create a nickname: Take your time and create a nickname that you can keep and use into the future.
Choosing a nickname that can be used on anything from an adult social site, a blog, a Google+ acct, Twitter or Facebook is advantageous even if you aren't currently on any of those or planning to join in the near future. You never know what the future will bring, and where you might find information of interest.

2) Create a new email account: Create a separate email address from any email acct you now have, or previously used.

a)  Doing this will help keep your email account from automatically sending out invites to people currently or previously on a Contacts List. Often, but not every time, when joining a new social site like Facebook, invites are automatically sent out to invite people from your email Contacts List. It's just safer and easier to have something new and dedicated specifically for your research and communication needs.

b) A Gmail account has the ease of deciding later to create a Google+ account which has become very popular within the entire lifestyle community because it's new and isn't as oppressive as Facebook or had the privacy issues that FB has encountered. G+ uses "Circles" to protect privacy and keep interests separate. I would still suggest not using the same account as a personal G+ account though. Even though there have been no privacy issues like FB, it's better to be safe then sorry. G+ offers a private chat feature but it's a tiny chat window. (like FB) There is also the option of Hang-Outs where you can chat and see others who agree to opt into what can be described as a "group skype" conversation where they see you, you see them etc. Again, this might not be for you, but it's an option.
G+ has "Community" pages and private pages for you to join if the group interests you.
I have had the B Blazer (MrBB) G+ account for a few months and I'm still learning new things about it all the time.

c) Yahoo is an old favorite in the lifestyle community dating back years. I think the basic chat feature is still a good one using any device, but especially from a lap-top or desk-top computer. I know, I know... a desk-what? lol The chat window can be enlarged to full screen. Font size, style, color can be easily changed to fit your style or mood. There are a multitude of emoticons and add-ons that can make the experience more fun. There is also an option to use a "chat only" name where the person you give the nickname to does not know your email and can only see you on their "Chat Friends" or "Buddy" list. You also have the choice of being on the chat feature as "invisable" without anyone being able to see that you're online. (G+ chat has that too)  
You have the option of text chat only, Voice chat, or a combined Video & Voice chat. And it's quick and easy to learn!

d) I also have a Skype account but have that one dedicated to family, extended family and friends outside of the lifestyle community. It's just not connected to anything else, and when the window pops up the nickname you use is right there for anyone to see. 

I have both a Yahoo & Gmail of account for my "lifestyle" communication choices. They are both free and I like them both for different reasons. I like the old Yahoo one because it's easy to use and I'm used to it. I have used it for years to talk to people and teach new people. I don't know how much it has saved me in phone bills!
I like the G+ account because there are the "Community" and private interest pages and there have been upgrades coming continually. G+ is more of a social site and there is interaction back and forth. Yahoo, not there.

3) Refrain from sharing Personal Info: Never give out personal information. Real names, work info, family info or anything personal. Not even a phone number when first communicating with someone. That includes a cell number. It is thousands of times safer to use a Yahoo or G+ account to Voice Chat. Also, a person can seem really interesting, knowledgeable or nice in Personal Messages (PMs), chat or email but when you speak to them you're just not into talking all the time or they're not as interesting as you thought. And if they have your telephone number they now have access to you, you may not be interested in.

4)  *** NEW ***  There is a new APP to check out called KiK. It enables a caller and the one receiving a call to keep their cell # anonymous. Use at your own risk, I'll research this new technology further and Update this information.

Above are just a few simple tips to beginning a safer online experience when reaching out to learn more. Researching Domestic Discipline can be a little like putting a puzzle together without having a completed picture to begin with. You have a general idea of what the whole picture is suppose to look like, but it takes time and patience to gather all the right pieces and put them all together.

1st Article in series: How to Start Domestic Discipline Research: What is DD to Me & Eliminating Confusion
2nd: You have just read the 2nd article in this series.
3rd: Next Article in series: Domestic Discipline Lifestyle Mentor: How to Seek a DD Mentor
4th: Taken in Hand View of HoH Role - One TiH View of HoH Role
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Related Links & Information Resources:
The DD Community Chat Room
A Domestic Discipline Society (Overview & Links)
A Domestic Discipline Society Google+ Private Page
B Blazer (MrBB) Google+ Profile Page
Domestic Discipline & Spanking Blog G+ Community
@MrBBSpanker Domestic Discipline Twitter Page
Contact MrBB